May 10, 2012 - Posted in Chevrolet, Coda, Coda Sedan, Focus Electric, Ford, i-MiEV, Leaf, Mitsubishi, Model X, Nissan, RAV4 EV, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Volt
April 18, 2012 - Posted in Infiniti LE, Nissan
Going into production next year, it seems the electric Infiniti LE, which is supposed to hit the markets in 2014, will be built in Smyrna, Tennessee at the same factory as Nissan Leaf.
The Infiniti LE utilizes the same 24-kWh lithium-ion battery that powers the Nissan Leaf, so it can be seen as a Leaf-based electric car.
Carlos Ghosn, the Nissan CEO recently said:
“You’re going to be seeing soon some major Infiniti sourcing to be moving out of Japan in order to allow the brand to be, in a particular way, not dependent on the variation of one currency. If you follow our logic, we should produce the cars where we sell them. North America is a potential base for Infiniti. … We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where you’re producing in a country with a strong currency and selling in a country where a currency is much weaker.”
With the multi-award winning Nissan Leaf entering European production in 2013, Nissan has announced the measures that it will take to prepare the market for this step up in production volumes. The plans focus on improving the environment for electric vehicles and will see the Nissan Leaf sold in more markets, by more dealers, with a radically improved quick charging network during 2012.
Nissan‘s Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing in Europe, Paul Willcox said:
“This is a big year for the Nissan LEAF in Europe and we are committed to creating an environment for electric mobility to thrive across the continent. 2011 was a huge year for us and with all of these significant and tangible improvements to infrastructure, dealer network, incentives, and production we are looking forward to significant growth in the lead up to European Production.”
In 2012, Nissan will radically increase the number of dealers selling the Leaf in Europe, making it accessible to many consumers for the first time. Nissan Leaf is on sale in 14 markets across Europe, with a total of 110 dealers. By the end of March 2013, that will have dramatically increased by almost ten times, with over 1000 dealers actively marketing the Nissan Leaf. All Nissan dealers will be equipped with charging points thus expanding the charging infrastructure for Leaf drivers. By 2013, the Nissan Leaf will be available for sale in 24 European markets.
source: nissan-europe.com